Bracelet and method of making the same



Feb. 21, 1950 J, KRExsLER y 2,498,211

BRACELET AND METHOD- OF' MAKING THE SAME Filed Jan. 27, 1947 l 4 Sheeis-Sheet l Tli A 22g 2430 225 ,90 g2 241 Z@ .90.26275 262426 e 26 ,I 26a I znga 26a 26m 42 n INVENTOR BY L 2; 2^

ATTORNEY Feb 21, 1950 J. KREISLER 2,498,211

BRACELET AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Filed Jan. 27, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY J. KREl-SLER BRACELET AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME 'Feb 21, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 27, 1947 Tlil TK l.'

Tli

ATTO R N EY Feb. 21, 1950 v J. KRl-:lsLER 2,498,211

BRACELET AND METHOD OF' MAKING THE SAME Filed Jan. 27, 194.7 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORN EY Patented Feb. 21, 1950 BRACELET AND METHOD F MAKING THE SAME Jacques Kreisler, New Rochelle, N. Y., assigner to Jacques Kreisler Manufacturing Corporation,

North Bergen, N. J.,

a corporation Application January 27, 1947, Serial No. '724,655`

S'Claims.

uns invention relates to bracelets or the like, and more particularly to bracelets for wrist Watches and to a method of making the same.

The type of bracelet to which the present invention relates is shown and described in a c0- pending application of Leslie Kreisler, Serial Number 673,691, led May 31, 1946, now Patent 2,451,249, dated October 19, 1948. The bracelet there disclosed is fabricated from individual spiral elements of which alternate elements of oppositely directed or wound convolutions are intermeshed and held together as an assembly by inserted pins. The assembly of elements is then finished into bracelet form by compressing the same edgewise, thereby forcing the intermeshed convolutions of the elements into interlocking relation with each other and lending to the bracelet the pleasing appearance of obliquely interwoven, continuous bands, rather than individually joined links. However, the side edges of the bracelet thus formed either have an unfinished appearance, or the ends of the pivot pins protrude from the edges of the bracelet and are headed, suggesting by their conspicuous presence the use of individually joined links which the bracelet so cleverly conceals otherwise.

It is the primary aim and object of the present invention to form the side edges of a bracelet of the above type so that vthey completely hide the ends of the inserted pins and have a finished and pleasant appearance harmonizing with the design of the rest of the bracelet.

-It is another importantl object of the present invention to devise a method of thus forming the side edges of a bracelet of this type efficiently and at little cost. The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 shows greatly enlarged individualelements-from which a bracelet is fabricated, and as they are coordinated prior to their formation into bracelet form;

Fig. 2 is an edge View of the coordinated elements as viewed in the direction of the arrow 2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of the bracelet in one of its formative stages;

Fig. iris a fragmentary, edge view of the partly formed bracelet as viewed in the direction of thearrow 4 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevational view of the finished bracelet;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary edge view-of the finished bracelet as viewed in the direction of the arrow 5 6 in Fig. 5; p

Figs. '7, 8 and 9 are fragmentary cross sections through the finished bracelet, taken substantially on the lines l-1, 8-8, and 9 9, respectively, of Fig. 5;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary and elevation'of the finished bracelet as viewed in the direction of the arrow lil in Fig. 5;

Fig. ll is a .front elevation of a device employed in the formation of the bracelet;

Fig. 12 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the same device;

Figs. 13 and 14 arefragmentary side elevations, partly in section, of the same device, showing the same in the performance of its functions;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary front elevation of a similar device also employed in the formation of the bracelet; l

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary side elevation, partly in section, of the device shown in Fig. l5;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary edge view of the bracelet in an intermediate stage of its formation after subjection to a modified operation;

Fig. 18 is a longitudinal section, partly in elevation, through structure by which the modified intermediate formation of the side edges of the bracelet shown in Fig. 17 is accomplished; and

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary edge view of one of the forming elements of thestructure in Fig. 18,

as viewed in the direction of the arrow I9 in Fig. 18. ,n f

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Fig. 5, the reference numeral 2li designates a finished bracelet which is fabricated from in-` for a reason which will become clear hereinafter. o

In fabricating the bracelet, as many links 22 as are required therefor are initially assembled by interrneshing. the convolutions 26 of alternate links 22a andJZb-in the fashion shown in Figs. 1 and A2. land inserting pins 28 into the openings 30 provided by,thevintermeshed convolutions of e5 adjacent linkswZZ, in order to hold the linksin the intermeshed relation shown in Fig. 2. The intermeshed links 22 and inserted pins 2B' (Fig. 1) are hereafter referred to as the link assembly 32. For a purpose which will become evident hereinafter, the ends 24 of the adjacent end convolutions 25' of adjacent links 22 in the assembly 32 face each other and are disposedA substantially in the median plane X-X of the assembly 32 in which the longitudinal axes oi the elements 22 lie (Fig. 2).

The link assembly 32 is next placed between rams 36 (shown in dot-and-dash lines in Fig. l) which are relatively movable to and from each other. On relative movement. of the rams 3S toward each other, the spiral links 22 of the as sembly 32 are axially compressed, whereby their intermeshed convolutions 26 are forced into in terlocking relation with each other (Fig. 3). In order to prevent expansion of the links 22 laterally of the Yassembly 32 during their compression by the rams 36, the link assembly 32 is placed between opposite, non-yielding retainer platens 4G shown in dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 2.

The link assembly 32 is, contrary to the procedure outlined in said copending application of Leslie Kreisler, only initially, and not finally, compressed edgewise by the rams 36, leaving it at this stage of its formation (Fig. 3) oi greater width than the nished bracelet 2l). In initially compressing the link assembly 32 by the relatively movable rams 3E, the intermes-hed convolutions 26 of the links 22 are interlocked as described, and the non-meshed end portions of the end convolutions 26 of the links 22 are also forced inwardly axially of the links 22 so as to define approximately straight edges 42 on the compressed link assembly 32 (Fig. 3). Also, in initially compressing the link assembly 32 as described, the same is elongated longitudinally, as

follows clearly from a comparison between Figs.

2 and 4. The longitudinal elongation of the link assembly is due to the fact that the links 22 thereof are prevented from expanding transversely of the assembly by the retainer platens 4B (Fig. 2) when the assembly is initially compressed by the rams 3B. By preventing expansion of the links 22 transversely of the assembly, several important advantages are secured. Thus, the thickness of the bracelet will be kept within narrow limits and it may have a slender appearance, while longitudinal expansion of the link assembly in consequence of its initial compression enhances the pleasant appearance of obliquely interwoven, continuous bands 58, 52, 54 and 56, for instance, in the iinished bracelet (Fig. 5).

As shown in Fig. 2, the links 22 from which the bracelet is fabricated are, in the present instance, oval or generally oblong, rather than round, in shape, securing the advantage that more nearly cylindrical openings 30 of maximum cross-sectional area are provided between the intermeshed convolutions 26 of adjacent links 22 (Fig. 2) for the reception of strong pins 28. The oblong shape of the links 22 also permits the use of relatively strong links in a bracelet which appears slender nevertheless.

-The side edges 42 of the compressed link assembly 32 are next formed into the nished state shown at 60 in Figs. 5 and 6. To this end, the non-meshed portions 26 of the adjacent end convolutions 26 of the links 22 in the assembly 32. are displaced or twisted from their normal spiralv disposition(Fig. 4) into the intertwisted relation shown in Figs.'6` to 10, inclusive', in

which they conceal each others ends 2B, and thus leave no indication on the nished bracelet that it is fabricated from individual spiral links 22. This becomes particularly apparent in Fig. 6, in which the intertwisted end portions 26 of the links 22 roughly simulate a continuous sinuous band, and thus carry tosuccessful conclusion the deception of obliquely interwoven continuous bands in the bracelet (Fig. 5).

The described formation of the edges of the bracelet is accomplished, in the present instance, by devices 62 and 64 (Figs. 11 and 15). The device 62 comprises an upright member B, having an inclined recess 68 for the reception of a compressed linkv assembly 32', and a companion member 'lil which is movable in any suitable manner-to and from engagement with member 66 (Figs. 12 and 13) and has an inclined surface l2' against which rests the inserted link assembly 32 in the recess E8 inthe member 66. Thus, the recess 68' in member 66 and the surface 12 of member 10' seiwe asa holder in which a link assembiy 32 may readily be inserted, and which, when member 'IB is closed, laterally confines the inserted assembly 32 to an extent preventing lateral expansion of said assembly, but permitting iurthe'r edgewise compression of the same.` A ram llt isv slidable for movement in a vertical plane in guideways 16 in the member 66, and is retained therein by gibs "I8 which are suitably secured to the member 66 by screws 8U and accurately located thereon by dowel pins'82. The rain I4 is guided for movement in a vertical plane and in the inclined direction indicated by the arrows 34 in Fig. 11', and the bottom or working edge of the ram is serrated as at 86, eachl serration being in the form of, and serving as, a curved die surface 88 with which to form or twist the aligned, non-meshed end portion 26" of the ladjacent link 22 in the inserted assembly 32'. More particularly, the die surfaces 88 of. the ram M form, in one work stroke of the latter', thev adj acentnonineshed end portions 26d of the links 22 which are on the same side of the in serted assembly 32 (Figs. 4 and 11 to 13, inclusive). Each die surface 88 engages the outermost edge 26"' of the aligned end portion 26a of the adjacent link 22 in the inserted assembly and exerts' thereagainst a forcev which, due to the relative inclination ofthe ram 'I4 and inserted assembly 32" (Fig. 12.) and the inclined path of movement of the ram 'i4 with respect to the inserted assembly 32' (Fig. 18) has on the aligned end portion 26a of the adjacent link 22 the eiect of three component forces directed. edgewise of the assembly 32' in the direction of the arrow S0 (Fig. 13), widthwise of the assembly 32 in the direction oi' the arrowv 92 (Fig. 13), and longitudinally of the assembly 32' in the direction of the arrow 94 (Fig. 11). These component forces cooperate to twist or form the end portion 26a of each link 22 on the assembly 32 into the obliquely curved. nal disposition shown-in Figs. 6 to 10,. inclusive, ywhile 4the component forces directed edgewise of the assembly 32 in the' direction of the arrow 9|) in Fig. 13 further compress said assembly edgewise.

The assembly 32 is, after the formation of the first end portions 26a of the links 22 thereoiremoved from the device 62 and reinserted therein in inverted position `(Fig. 14), bringing the end portions 2Gb of the links 22 into operative align inen't Vwith the die surfaces 88 on the ram M.. r'lhe end portions 2Gb, which in the case of the present spiral elements 22 are on the same side Mea-ari ef the 'assembly 32 as the formed fend `portions 26a, are then in the same relation to the die surfaces 88 as the latter end portions were for their formation by these die surfaces, and are formed into their final shape by the descending ram 74.

Inasmuch as the remaining end portions 20c 'and 26d of the links 22 on the other side of the assembly 32 proceed oppositely to the end por,- tions 26a and 2Gb of these links (Figs. 4 andh15), recourse is had for theirnal formation to the device 64 which is in every respect like the device 62 in Fig. l1, except that he ram 14' is guided for movement in a different inclined path, so that the die surfaces 88 thereof assume the same relation to the end portions 26e and 26d, respectively,

of the' links 22 which the die surfaces 88 assume to' the other end portions 26a and 2Gb of said links. Since in each of the four instances of forming the non-meshed end portions of the links of the assembly in the devices 62 and 64, the assembly 32 is progressively further compressed edgewise as explained, it stands to reason that Athe finished bracelet 20 is of less width than the vcompressed assembly 32', whereby the previously mentioned advantages springing from they initial compression of this assembly are even enhanced by thev further compression thereof during the formation of its opposite side edges.

.|00 with their forming grooves 102 and |04 may l also be used as mere dies for slightly inwardly bending the adjacent non-meshed end portions vof the links 22 of the assembly 32 (Fig. .1.7) on yclosing the rams on the latter, whereby the assembly is only incidentally compressed edgewise -to'r anextent falling short of the desired initial compression of the same (Fig. 3). The assembly may thereafter be subjected to the action of plane-faced rams, such as the rams 36 in Fig. 1, in order to force the assembly into the initially compressed state shown in Fig. 3. The hereinbefore described edge formation on a bracelet of .the type shown and described in the beforementioned application of Leslie Kreisler, Ser. No. 673,691, now Patent 2,451,749, dated October 19, .1948, may obviously be undertaken also on a bracelet of the type shown and described in a co-pending application of Leslie Kreisler and John G. Siska, Ser. No. 692,617, filed August 23, 1946, now Patent 2,451,750, dated October 19, 1948. This latter bracelet diiTers from the former bracelet only in that it has no pins for holding the adjacent spiral elements in intermeshed relation, instead these elements are securely held in intermeshed relation solely by their interlocked convolutions.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that various changes in the details of construction and in the method may be made without departing from the underlying idea or principles of the invention withinl the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A bracelet band, comprising a series of laterally extending alternate, oppositely directed spiral elements with their convolutions in meshed relation, the intermeshed convolutions of'adjacent elements being .at each of their intei-sections mutually deformed into mutual limited interlocked relation to prevent substantial relative movement between ysaid adjacent elements, other than limited pivotal relative movement therebetween about axes parallel to their longitudinal axes, adjacent end convolutions of successive elements having curved portions, respectively, disposed'alternately on opposite sides of the band,l and each of said curved portions being inclinedrelativevfto the median plane of the band toward the opposite side of the band and having an vend portion `disposed within and concealed by the curved and inclined end portion of the adjacent end convolution of the adjacentelement.

2. A bracelet band, comprising an assembly of laterally extending alternate, oppositely directed spiral elements with their convolutions in meshed relation, the intermeshed convolutions of adjacent elements being at each of their intersections mutually deformed into mutual limited interlocked relation to prevent substantial relative movement between said adjacent elements, other than limited pivotal relative movement therebetween about axes parallel to their longitudinaly axes, the adjacent ends of successive elements beingalternately on opposite sides of the assembly andthe end of each element along each side edge of the assembly being obliquely curved inwardly into the adjacent end of the adjacent element so that said ends together simulate a continuous sinuous band along each side edge oi the assembly.v

3. A bracelet band, comprising an assembly of laterally extending alternate, oppositely directed spiral elements with their convolutions in meshed relation with each other, and pins inserted in the intermeshed convolutions of adjacent elements, respectively, forv positively -1 holding said elements in'said relation, the adjacent ends of successive f elements being alternately on opposite sides of the assembly and the end of each element along each side edge of the assembly being obliquely curved inwardly into the adjacent end Iof the adjacent element so that said ends together simulate a continuous sinuous band along each side edge of the assembly.

4. A bracelet band, comprising an assembly of laterally extending alternate, oppositely directed spiral elements with their convolutions in meshed relation, the intermeshed convolutions of adjacent elements being at each of their intersections mutually deformed into mutual limited interlocked relation to prevent substantial relative movement between said adjacent elements, other than limited pivotal relative movement therebetween about axes parallel to their longitudinal axes, each element being formed of substantially flat stock disposed width-wise substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said element, the non-meshed end portions of adjacent end convol-utions of successive elements being alternately disposed on opposite sides, respectively, of the assembly and the non-meshed end portion of each element along each side edge of the assembly being obliquely curved inwardly into the adjacent non-meshed end portion of the adjacent element so thatsaid end portions together simulate a continuous sinuous band along'each side edge of the assembly.

75 5. A bracelet band, comprising a'series of latmontan erally Iextending alternate, oppcsitely directed spiral elements with their convolutions in meshed relation, and pins inserted in the ntermeshed convolutions of adjacent elements, respectively, said pins terminati-ng short of the Iadjacent end convolutions of the intermeshed elements, the adjacent ends of .successive elements being `alternately von opposite sides of the assembly and the end of each element .along each side edge of `the assembly being obliquely curved .inwardly into .the adjacent end -of the adjacent element so that said ends together simulate .a continuous sin-nous band 4eclgewise :of the assembly and conceal the adjacent ends -of the inserted pins.

6. In a method of making a rbracelet Vband according to which a series of laterally extending alternate, oppositely directed -spiral :elements .are arranged in an assembly with their convolutions in meshed relation and the adjacent non'- meshed end .portions lof successive .elements al- 'ternately disposed on opposite sides, respectively, of the assembly, .and lpins are inserted into the interrneshed convolutions of adjacent elements, respectively, and terminate short of the .adja- Vcent end convolutions thereof, that improvement which comprises compressing the assembly laxially of the elements thereof to straighten the side edges of the assembly, and pressing the Ladjacent non-meshed end portions of successive yelements, respectively, at either side edge of the assembly .toward the med-ian plane, and toward lthe opposite side edge, of the assembly and into each other to conceal each others ends and also the adjacent vends -of the inserted pins.

7. In a method of making a bracelet band according to which a series of laterally extending, alternate, oppositely directed spiral elements fare arranged in an assembly with their convolutions 'in meshed relation, the adjacent non-meshed vend portions of successive relements are alternately Adisposed on opposite sides, respectively, of the assembly, and pins are inrserted .into `the intermeshed convolutions of -adjacent elements, respectively, and terminate yshort .of the adjacent end convolutions thereof, thatmprovement which comprises forcing each .non-meshed end portion of each element of the lassembly in a direction 4resultant from three component directions toward the opposite ,side of the assembly, toward the opposite side edge of the asembly and longitudinally of the assembly, respectively, thereby to conceal the ends of adjacent .non-meshed end portions of successive elements within each other and also to conceal the ends of the inserted pins by the `adjacent non- .meshed end portions of adjacent elements.

.8. Method of n-ishing the opposite side .edges of a bracelet band having a series of laterally extending alternate, oppositely directed spiral elements arranged in an assembly with their Vconvoluticns in meshed relation, the adjacent .non-meshed end portions -oi successive elements being :alternately disposed on opposite sides, respectively, kof the assembly, .and pins `being 1n- !serted into the vintermeshed convolutions vof adjacent elements, respectively, and terminating short of the `adjacent end convolutions thereof, `comprising curving the non-meshed end portion of each .element along each side edge of the assembly obliquely inwardly into the adjacent non-.meshed end .portion of the adjacent element so that said end portions together simulate a continuous sinuous band along each side edge of the assembly and Vconceal the adjacent ends of the inserted pins.

JACQUES KREISLER.

REFERENCES CITED 'The following references are of record in the il'e of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 155,941 Grant Oct. 413, .1874 '298,432 Vester May 13 1884 398,427 Midgley Feb. 26, 1889 728,'827 Anthony May 26, 1903 1,784,254 Schoier Dec. 9, y193() 1,790,464 DuBois Jan. 27, 193i 

